The pressure is on for concrete producers. Demand is high, especially with the passing of the U.S. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, but the market is more challenging than ever. Construction costs rose 14.1 percent year over year by the end of 2022, according to CBRE’s Construction Cost Index. Recruiting skilled labor continues to be difficult as many industry veterans…
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Industrial Demonstrations Program: Deep pockets for decarbonization
Through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the White House is formally proceeding with a previously announced $6 billion funding program to accelerate decarbonization projects in energy-intensive industries and provide American manufacturers a competitive advantage in the emerging global clean energy economy. Funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA, 2021) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA, 2022), the Industrial…
Read MoreCalming Confidence
A visit with 2022-23 National Precast Concrete Association Chairman of the Board Joel Sheets Known for his calm demeanor, Joel Sheets, senior vice president of Operations for Tindall Infrastructure, not only has the confidence to be a leader recognized and appreciated throughout the Tindall organization but also to lead the entire precast industry. Sheets has built a team and a…
Read MoreSluggish Outlook
Economic uncertainty and inflation impact construction Sector BY CP STAFF As we begin the new year, there are concerns surrounding the health of the economy and whether a recession is in the near future. Amongst the uncertainty, industry economists have revealed that the impact of high interest rates and inflation is already being felt within the construction sector. “The Federal…
Read MoreMilestone Contractors VP Friess embraces ACPA Chairman’s term
Steve Friess of Indianapolis-based Milestone Contractors, LP was elected American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA) chairman of the board at the organization’s 59th annual meeting, held late last year in Nashville. He takes the helm at a time when the paving industry is poised for at least $350 billion over five years in highway and bridge funding as part of the…
Read MorePaving the Year Forward
Five resolutions for the ready-mixed concrete industry. Happy New Year! From here on out, may our days be filled with more light, hope and resolutions for a better future. Taking a cue from Abraham Lincoln, who said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it,” let’s build a better outlook for our businesses and our industry. We…
Read MoreEPA officials reviews 50 years of Clean Water Act deliverables
Environmental Protection Agency and White House Council on Environmental Quality officials joined other water pollution control stakeholders last month on the banks of the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Clean Water Act of 1972. “When the Cuyahoga River burned 50 years ago, people from all backgrounds came together with one voice to demand action,”…
Read MoreFHWA outlines $7 million in grants to promote LCA, EPD adoption
Sources: U.S. Department of Transportation; CP staff The Federal Highway Administration has announced $204,000-$312,000 grants to support sustainable pavement, materials emissions tracking and related initiatives at more than 20 state departments of transportation. Many of the initiatives are centered on developing, adopting or advancing the use of life cycle assessment (LCA) methods and environmental product declarations (EPD). The latter encompass…
Read MoreCement leaders document Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality progress
Sources: Global Cement and Concrete Association, London; Portland Cement Association, Washington, D.C.; CP staff Portland Cement Association Chairman Ron Henley (GCC America) told a New York Climate Week gathering that U.S. producers have exceeded expectations outlined nearly one year ago with release of the PCA Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality. The document offered specific carbon dioxide emissions reduction opportunities along a…
Read MoreCode Council tracks Inflation Reduction Act-spurred EPD demand
Sources: International Code Council, Washington, D.C.; CP staff The International Code Council salutes provisions in the just-signed Inflation Reduction Act that will help communities update building energy codes and promote low-carbon construction materials. Building on last year’s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, ICC notes, the new law: • Serves up $1 billion to support codes and standards or local amendments…
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